Indonesia Mobilizes Evacuation as Iran-Israel Tensions Escalate

Citizens Prepared to Flee Amidst Growing Conflict

Amidst increasing turmoil, Indonesia is preparing to evacuate its citizens from Iran. With the situation rapidly deteriorating, the government is coordinating the safe return of its nationals as concerns mount over the escalating conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Authorities are focused on a staged evacuation plan.

Evacuation Underway

Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono has reported that 97 Indonesian citizens have agreed to participate in the initial evacuation phase. In total, 386 Indonesians have registered in Iran, according to the minister. Four buses are already en route to border regions, he informed reporters. The evacuation will proceed in phases.

“I was informed this morning that four buses (carrying evacuees) were en route to border regions. They may have arrived by now,”

—Sugiono, Foreign Affairs Minister

Global oil prices have risen by nearly 3% due to the escalating tensions, as reported by the Financial Times (Financial Times 2024).

Rising Concerns and Response

The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran has been directed to monitor events and formulate evacuation strategies, raising its alert level. Sugiono stated that Israel has increased attacks, targeting civilian zones, not just military sites. Coordination with Iran’s neighboring nations is happening to streamline border crossings.

Due to the closure of flights from Tehran, the evacuation will occur overland. Sugiono is urging all Indonesian nationals in Iran to stay connected with the embassy. These measures follow the attacks initiated by Tel Aviv, purportedly targeting Iranian nuclear sites.

Retaliatory strikes from Tehran, targeting Israeli sites, have followed. General Ahmad Vahidi, a senior Iranian military official, indicated that the operation would proceed as needed.